jaliy

since the latest firmware upgrade i've been having random reception interupptions. both voice and data would be cut off. usually it comes back within a min. but today it went on for a few min i had to reboot the phone to get signal back

does this happen to anyone? i know galaxy nexus has this problem

craigrac

i have exactly the same problem, total loss of network for about a min randomly.mine is an early t-mobile uk s2. i flashed 4.0.3 iml74k.xwlp7 a few months ago and it was fine, a firmware upgrade was available through kies which was 4.0.4 and it all seemed fine for a day then this random loss of network. i have had to re flash back to 4.0.3 using odin and it's fine now, samsung needs to sort this out!

ironass

If I remember correctly jaliy, you are on the GT-i9100 with the XEU, UK, firmware. Quite a few Canadians have requested a different modem on the, "All Things Root", forum in an effort to improve their signal and it seems that the XXKG6 and UGLD3 modems work well in Canada.

However, I know that you are un-rooted and therefore constrained to the modem that comes with the UK firmware.

Therefore, I can only suggest doing a manual signal/network provider search and re-registering your phone with your network to see if this improves your signal...

1. Settings > Wireless and network > More > Mobile networks > Network operators.

2. Let the screen populate with all the available carriers.

3. Select a carrier that is not your own. You will be told, after trying to connect, not allowed or No way Jose.

4. Repeat this with one or two other non carriers.

5. Finally, select your own carrier, Automatic, and reconnect your phone again.

This procedure should ensure that your phone locks on to the strongest signal for your carrier.

I normally give a modem 1 or 2 days to, "bed", in before deciding if it is any good or not.

To check your signal strength, go to...

Settings > About phone > Status > Signal strength

Here you will see 2 results..

-dBm. The lower the -dBm, the better. For instance, -65dBm is better than -83dBm.

asu. asu, or, "Arbitrary Strength Unit", is also important to signal strength and, unlike -dBm, the higher the value, the better.

At home at the moment, indoors, my signal strength is showing as -83dBm and 16asu.

For more information on network signal strengths and how they are calculated, see, here.

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jaliy

so it's a known issue then?

ironass

Only amongst Canadians on XEU, UK, firmware, it would seem, if xda developers forum and the All Things Root section of this forum are anything to go by.

jaliy

So the same phone locked to canadian carrier would not have this problem?

ironass

Not my area of expertise old boy, As I neither have the Canadian, "M", variant or live in Canada... however, in my wanderings through xda and on here, I have come across a number of requests from people who either own the SGSII, GT-i9100, on XEU firmware, or who have the "M", variant and have rooted and flashed a non, "M", variant firmware to it, and are requesting a modem that is more compliant with the Canadian networks, Bell, Virgin, Sasktel, Rogers, because of signal problems. Those who are rooted, I can help, as I now know that certain modems work better, from reports I have received and read, in Canada.

jaliy

I also see quite a few ppl have this problem with galaxy nexus is that also a modem issue?
It only started with 4.0.4

ironass

The issue I'm talking about has been there from day one of the SGSII, non, "M", variant, being available in Canada. There will, of course, be newer modems in Android 4.0.4 to make them more compliant and signal, not to mention battery, friendly with UK/European networks, which the XEU firmware is designed to operate on, this is why the, "M", Canadian variant has a different modem.

The bottom line is that the XEU, UK, modem was not designed with the Canadian networks in mind but rather the European ones. This is why the Galaxy S2, "M", variant was brought out for sale in Canada with it's own firmware and, more importantly, its own optimised modem. Certainly, people who have flashed modems more suited to the Canadian networks onto their non, "M", phones have reported less, signal outage, calls dropped and better battery performance. If you were to come to the UK you would get a great signal with your modem.

I'm afraid that unless you are rooted or willing to flash a Canadian firmware, both of which will void your warranty if you still have one, there is nothing you can do about it

Last edited by ironass; August 21st, 2012 at 12:39 PM.

jaliy

My phone is already a year old out of warranty

jaliy

Anyone else?

ironass

Here are two screenshots that should explain the difference between the Canadian and UK modems.

Both screenshots are for the signal strength, indoors, on the Vodafone, UK, network and taken within 15 min's of one another.

The first is for the UK optimised modem and shows -87dBm 13asu. This was using HSDPA.

The second is for the Canadian optimised, "M", variant phone on my UK network and shows -103dBm 5asu. Could only get UMTS.

In other words, the Canadian modem is not as compatible with the UK network as the UK modem is. It is showing -16dBm and 8asu weaker.

That is why there is an, "M", variant of the SGSII for Canada.

UK modem on UK network



Canadian modem on UK network

jaliy

Can i see a screenshot of uk modem in Canadian carrier

ironass

Type into your dial pad... *#1234#

and give the four lines of information shown there.

PDA:

PHONE:

CSC:

Build info:

jaliy

Here u go

ironass

So, you are running XEU firmware which is the Samsung CSC code for the unbranded, UK. See post #2, here.

Therefore, you only have to look at your own screen to see a UK modem on a Canadian network.

jaliy

And im seeing sign strength of -90dbm which is close to urs

ironass

Please post a screenshot showing your Status which gives both dBm + asu and HSDPA/UMTS.

Last edited by ironass; August 25th, 2012 at 02:43 PM. Reason: clarity

jaliy

i just noticed i'm getting umts:3 too is that bad?

ironass

What is your asu?



Don't forget to turn off your Wi-Fi on the phone before taking readings.

Last edited by ironass; August 25th, 2012 at 05:04 PM.

jaliy

asu=11

ironass

Do you ever get H for HSDPA showing?

(see my first screenshot above)

jaliy

i dont look at that screen but i do have H+ data if that's wut u r asking
ok i turned on my data and i just saw HSPAP:15

Last edited by jaliy; August 25th, 2012 at 06:40 PM.

ironass

So, you are getting -90dBm 11 asu and HSDPA 15

If this is your average signal then that's not too bad. However, if you are, as you say in post #1, getting signal drops all the time that might indicate that either you have dead zones, which is down to your network providers signal, or your modem is either dropping the signal or not switching between different cell towers efficiently. This means that not only is your signal being dropped but also your battery is being drained as your phone will be constantly searching for, and connecting to, your carriers signal.

jaliy

So this is not my modem problem then since my signals are good?

ironass

See my previous post.

Since there are numerous posts all over the web from Canadians who have XEU, UK, firmware and modems that are giving similar problems and who are flashing different modems to their phones to combat this, then it would seem likely that this is your problem also.

Think of it this way... You could play Deep Purples, "Smoke on the Water", on a Banjo.... it just wouldn't sound as good as when it's played on a Guitar.

Last edited by ironass; August 26th, 2012 at 11:33 AM.

jaliy

well i don't get dropped all the time maybe just once every few days or so

Hawker

Lets not impetuously write off the merits of the Banjo per se. If the Duelling Banjo scene was performed between a triangle and a comb with tracing paper, then I dont think this iconic scene in Deliverance would have attained such high acclaim in cinematic history.


As you are no longer under warranty, have you considered rooting? At least then you would be able to install a modem suitable to your region, which would almost certainly cure the signalling issues you're having.

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jaliy

i thought rooting doesn't change the hardware? if i have a uk modem i will always have that

ironass

http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-international-all-things-root/588852-modem-installation-dummies-guide.html

jaliy

do u think getting a phone in north america would be better than the international version?

ironass

Let me answer your question with two questions to you:-

1. Why do you think that Samsung released the Samsung Galaxy S2, "M", variant, specifically for Canada?

2. Can you think of any Canadian owner of the , "M", variant, on this general forum who has experienced the whole litany of problems that you have posted about over the last year or so, listing your disatisfaction with your Samsung Galaxy S2 running UK firmware in Canada?

jaliy

I was on fido and fido didn't have this phone at the time

ironass

It is a shame that you appear unable or unwilling to answer my two questions when, in the last year, I have patiently answered so many of yours. I feel you may have realised something from your answers.

So, it is true to say, that in your understandable eagerness to own an SGSII, rather than wait for the release of the Canadian, "M", variant, you chose to purchase off of the web, whether knowingly or not, a non, "M", variant SGSII which had XEU, UK, firmware that had been deemed by the manufacturer, Samsung, as unsuitable, per se, for the Canadian market, hence the release of the "M", variant.

Unlike a lot of your fellow countrymen who, realising their mistake in not waiting for the, "M", variant, took steps to flash a compatible firmware... you have steadfastly refused.

With all due respect, you have, in the last year, devoted literally 100's of posts expressing your disatisfaction of your SGSII running UK firmware on the Canadian networks. This is not Samsung's fault... nor the fault of the SGSII I think you must surely agree.

To use an analogy... this is a little like me buying a Canadian car for use in the UK and then constantly complaining that the drivers view is poor, parts are scarce and labour is expensive. I'm certain you would be the first to say that, in that case, I should not have bought a Canadian car for use on British roads and that I should either, sell it, modify it or stop, complaing about Canadian cars.

Please do not treat this as an affront jaliy old boy. This is merely a statement of the facts, accummulated over the last year of your postings. I think you will agree that the time has come for you to decide on the future of your SGSII..

Do you modify it?

Do you sell it?

Do you keep it the way it is?

Do you nit pick the above and side step the issue?

adilshoukat

Hi jaliy,
Did you ever get your signals issue fixed?
I am having exactly the same problem with Galaxy S2 + 4.0.4

adilshoukat

Hi ironass,
I am having the same problem. I bought my phone from KSA. The model is GT-1900RWAXSG
Here are my firmware details:
PDA: I9100XXLQB
PHONE: I9100XXLQ6
CSC: I9100XALQB
Build Info: Tue July 17 23:44:06 KST 2012

I am using this phone in Pakistan (Asia)
Can you please let me know which firmware should I flash instead?

Thanks

ironass

I'm assuming that your CSC code is actually... i9100OXALQB which is the firmware for Android 4.0.4; Poland.

You do not have to change the whole firmware in an attempt to improve your signal. You can just flash a different modem to your phone. For detailed instructions on this, see, "Modems - A Dummies Guide".

If you wish to flash the whole firmware you will need to follow the instructions in post #1, here, under the heading, "My firmware is not eligible for ICS yet but I want it now!". The CSC code for Pakistan is OJP.